Small watercraft and outboard motor

Abstract

A small watercraft and outboard motor are configured so that operator-activated command signals are communicated from a control unit in the hull of the watercraft via a local area network to engine component actuators in the outboard motor. The local area network enables a simplified connection to be used between the watercraft hull and the outboard motor to provide communication of the command signals as well as to provide communication of navigational and engine parameter information. The local area network enables the user to operate the watercraft with increased reliability. Because of the small number (e.g., one) of control connections required between the hull and the outboard motor, the process for installing the outboard motor onto the watercraft hull is greatly simplified, which reduces the time and the cost initial installation and the cost of repair.

1. A watercraft that includes an outboard motor mounted on a hull, the watercraft comprising:
 an operator-controlled navigational unit positioned in the hull, the navigational unit comprising at least one engine operation control unit that receives throttle and shift commands and that generates throttle and shift command signals, a control unit that receives steering commands and that generates steering command signals, and a trim selection control unit that receives trim selection commands and that generates trim selection command signals;  
 actuators in the outboard motor, the actuators responsive to control signals to operate a throttle body, a transmission, a steering system, and a trim system; and  
 a control system in the outboard motor and connected via a communication system to the navigational unit, the control system receiving the command signals from the control units in the navigational unit via the communication system and generating the control signals to the actuators in the outboard motor.  
 
   
   
     2. A watercraft having an outboard motor that includes an engine that produces a propulsion force through a transmission mechanism, the watercraft comprising:
 an operator-controlled navigational system comprising at least one engine operation control unit that receives throttle and shift command inputs, a steering control unit that receives steering command inputs, and a trim control unit that receives trim selection command inputs, the control units generating respective control signals responsive to operator inputs applied to the control units;  
 a display system proximate to the navigational system;  
 actuators in the outboard motor that operate a throttle body, a transmission, a steering system, and a trim system in response to respective actuator signals;  
 sensors that detect operating conditions of the watercraft; and  
 a control system in the outboard motor that communicates with the sensors and with the actuators, the control system connected via a communication system to the navigational system to receive the control signals from the control units, the control system responsive to the control signals to generate the actuator signals to the actuators, the control system further generating signals to the display system to cause the display system to display information responsive to the detected operating conditions of the watercraft.  
 
   
   
     3. An outboard motor mounted on a watercraft, the watercraft including a navigation system that receives control inputs from an operator, the outboard motor including an engine that produces a propulsion force through a transmission mechanism, the outboard motor comprising:
 actuators in the outboard motor that operate a throttle body, a transmission, a steering system, and a trim system;  
 a control system in communication with the navigation system of the watercraft via a communication system, the control system controlling the actuators in response to commands received from the navigation system.  
 
   
   
     4. An outboard motor mounted on a watercraft, the outboard motor including an engine that produces a propulsion force through a transmission mechanism, the outboard motor comprising:
 actuators in the outboard motor that operate a throttle body, a transmission, a steering system, and a trim system; and  
 a control system in communication with a navigation system located in the watercraft, the control system operating actuators in the outboard motor in response to commands received via a communication system from the navigation system, the control system further generating information signals responsive to operating conditions of the outboard motor and the watercraft and communicating the information signals to a display associated with the navigation system.  
 
   
   
     5. The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein the communication system comprises a LAN cable having a first portion and a second portion and a connector assembly coupling said first and second portions. 
   
   
     6. The watercraft of  claim 5 , wherein said connector assembly comprises a male connector and a female connector and one of said male and female connectors has a dimensional limit of 40 millimeters. 
   
   
     7. The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein the communication system comprises a single communication cable that connects said control system in the outboard motor and the navigational unit, said single communication cable having a first portion and a second portion that are connected by a connector assembly. 
   
   
     8. The watercraft of  claim 7 , wherein said connector assembly is disposed on a side surface of said hull proximate said outboard motor. 
   
   
     9. The watercraft of  claim 2 , wherein the communication system comprises a LAN cable having a first portion and a second portion and a connector assembly coupling said first and second portions. 
   
   
     10. The watercraft of  claim 9 , wherein said connector assembly comprises a male connector and a female connector and one of said male and female connectors has a dimensional limit of 40 millimeters. 
   
   
     11. The watercraft of  claim 2 , wherein the communication system comprises a single communication cable that connects said control system in the outboard motor and the navigational unit, said single communication cable having a first portion and a second portion that are connected by a connector assembly. 
   
   
     12. The watercraft of  claim 11 , wherein said connector assembly is disposed on a side surface of said hull proximate said outboard motor. 
   
   
     13. The outboard motor of  claim 3 , wherein the communication system comprises a LAN cable having a first portion and a second portion and a connector assembly coupling said first and second portions. 
   
   
     14. The outboard motor of  claim 13 , wherein said connector assembly comprises a male connector and a female connector and one of said male and female connectors has a dimensional limit of 40 millimeters. 
   
   
     15. The outboard motor of  claim 3 , wherein the communication system comprises a single communication cable that connects said control system in the outboard motor and the navigational unit, said single communication cable having a first portion and a second portion that are connected by a connector assembly. 
   
   
     16. The outboard motor of  claim 15 , wherein said connector assembly is adapted to be disposed on a side surface of a hull of the watercraft proximate said outboard motor. 
   
   
     17. The outboard motor of  claim 4 , wherein the communication system comprises a LAN cable having a first portion and a second portion and a connector assembly coupling said first and second portions. 
   
   
     18. The outboard motor of  claim 17 , wherein said connector assembly comprises a male connector and a female connector and one of said male and female connectors has a dimensional limit of 40 millimeters. 
   
   
     19. The outboard motor of  claim 4 , wherein the communication system comprises a single communication cable that connects said control system in the outboard motor and the navigational unit, said single communication cable having a first portion and a second portion that are connected by a connector assembly. 
   
   
     20. The outboard motor of  claim 19 , wherein said connector assembly is adapted to be disposed on a side surface of a hull of the watercraft proximate said outboard motor.